Writing a character who has panic attacks [closed]
Closed by System on Oct 5, 2016 at 23:28
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I myself do not have panic attacks, but I do know a few people who have had them. A few even while I'm around-- so I know what I'm doing for the most part, but..
There is a certain scene in the story where said character is having a panic attack after he is left alone (he is a prince and his guards, who at least one of them is with him 24-7, all go off somewhere and he has no idea where they are)
After it occurs to him that none of them are with him, he begins to have a panic attack, and this happens during an invasion on his kingdom where monsters are attacking.
During his panic attack, he is about to be attacked by a monster before one of his guards comes back to save him. His guard ends up becoming extremely injured, possibly near death.
My problem figuring out this scene is questioning whether his guard showing up and nearly dying would snap him back to reality, or if he would fall into even more of a panic and would be unable to help the guard. Or is this something where it would depend? How do I decide between these two alternatives?
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1 answer
Either one is plausible. Work backwards from where your plot needs to get to.
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